Fire extinguishing equipment



Dec. 27, 1938. R. E. WALLACE ET AL FIRE EXTINGUISHING EQUIPMENT :2 Shets-Sheet 1 Filed May 21, 1937 [rm/en [01's. Rik/ ard Fr] ar WaJ/ACC /1/6ertC I' WeSt Dec. 27, 1938.

R. E. WALLACE ET AL. 2,141,232

FIRE EXTINGUISHING EQUIPMENT Fiied May 21, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 27, 193 8 PATENT OFFICE FIRE 'EXTINGUISHING EQUIPMENT Richard Edgar Wallace and Albert 0. F. West; Toronto, Ontario, Canada, assignors to The Toronto Star Limited, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Application May 21, 1937, Serial No. 144,000

14 Claims.

The principal objects of this invention are to improve the'equipment for the automatic and instantaneous release of carbon dioxide gas or a similar fire-extinguishing medium from containers in which it is held under extremely high pressure, greatly facilitating the extinguishing of fire by remote control which may occur in places inaccessible to the ordinary forms of fire-fighting equipment.

A further and important object is to provide a form of seal for retaining the high pressure gas which will be safe against disruption through the effect of changing temperature and will therefore ensure the maintenance of the flreextinguishing charge against accidental loss which would render the fire-extinguishing equipment innocuous.

A still further object is to provide a form of valve and valve-operating equipment which will operate instantaneously but which will be of very simple and dependable construction.

A still further object is to devise a structure of valve which may be very easily manipulatedin the charging and sealing of the fire-extinguish ing gas in the container and which may be very easily. and quickly replaced afterhaving been operated for a quick release of the gas pressure.

The principal features of the invention consist in the novel construction of a valve member for sealing the outlet from a high pressure container, whereby an instantaneous rupture of the valve member may be effected to instantaneously open the full area of the discharge passage and in the novel manner of effecting such rupture of the valve member by the application of 'a sudden tortional or bending stress.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side elevational view of an installation of a fireextinguishing equipment constructed in accordthe preferred tom of valve for application directly to a high pressure gas-holding cylinder 50 showing the interior construction of the valve with the valve member in the position to permitthe charging of the cylinder.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to Figure 4 showing the valve closed to seal the 3 fire-extinguishing gas withimthe cylinder.

gure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional de- Figure 6 is a sectional view similar to Figures 4 and 5 showing the valve-closing means retracted, the parts being shown in the position ready for instantaneous release of the pressure.

Figure 7 is a view similarto Figure 6 showing the valve member broken and the parts separated to release the fire-extinguishing gas through the full area of the discharge orifice.'

Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective detail of the valve member.

Figure 9 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the valve member. h

Figure 10 is a plan view of the lower portion of the valve after it has been fractured.

The use of CO: gas as a fire-extinguishing medium has been known for many years and a great variety of devices for effecting the instantaneous release of such gas from high pressure containers have been subject matter of patents over an extenslve' period. There is therefore nothing fundam'entally new in the fact of storing such gas in high pressure containersand arranging mechanisms to automatically release such gas. There have been many dimculties encountered in the practical application of this old idea and it is found that considerable trouble has occurred in the practical use of the idea because of complications in the automatic apparatus used-and in the creation of frost on the sudden release of thehigh pressure gas through small orifices and the present invention has been. devised to overcome these difilculties.

In the application of the invention as illustrated in Figure 1, oneor more high pressure gas containers I are arranged in a desired location and a conduit 2 leads therefrom to a valve structure 3 which is here shown rigidly mounted on a bracket 4 arranged upon a wall 5.

A conduit 6 leads from the discharge passage I of the valve to a suitable nozzle or distributor which may be arranged in any desired location to project the released gas in such direction as maybe desired. The valve body 3 is provided with a cylindrical recess 8 and 'this recess is intersected by the discharge passage 1. The recess 8 is formed with a threaded counterbore 9 at the open end to receive-the threaded flange III of a cylindrical valve ll. 7 4

The conduit 2 is provided with a flanged end I! secured to the outer threaded end of the valve by a nut I3. The valve 3 is bored longitudinally with a-hole it which extends beyond the discharge passage 1 and a circumferential notch I5 is cut in the'perimeter of the valve 3 in alignment with the edge of the discharge orifice nearest to 10 that if a sharp blow of sufficient strength is apthe flange and rigidly-secured end of the valve. The cylindrical valve is of a shorter length than the depth of the cylindrical recess 8, there being a space 8' of substantially the same width as the diameter of the discharge passage.

The valve is provided with a reduced stem extension l6 which extends through a cylindrical orifice I! in the valve body and the outer end thereof is formed with a flat key face l8 to which is keyed a lever I9. It will be appreciated plied to the lever the torque stress will have the effect of shearing the metal of the cylindrical valve at the bottom of the notch I and when this occurs the pressure of the gas flowing through the conduit forces the broken end of the valve outwardly so that it will clear the disaround which is wound a cable 2! and to the endof the cable is secured a weight 22. A lug 23 formed on the outer side of the pulley 20 is adapted to move into contact with the lever. The pulley 20 is provided with a stop lug 24 on the side adjacent to the valve-supporting frame and the said lug is engaged by a latch lever 25 which is secured by an electrically-operated latch member 26 mounted on the bracket. When the pulley 20 is held by the -latch 25 the weight ,is in a raised position and the lug 23 is spaced from the lever IS a considerable distance, possibly half a revolution.

Upon the operation of the electrical latch to release the latch arm 25 the weight pulling upon the pulley throws the latch arm out of engagement and the pulley rotates by the force applied by the falling weight. The lug 23 strikes the lever IS with considerable force and the twisting strain applied to the spindle of the valve through the force applied to the lever has the effect of fracturing the notched valve member, causing the two parts thereof to separate and thus releasing the gas pressure to flow into the discharge.

A device as described is extremely simple and very inexpensive to make. There are no parts to. get out of order and no delicate mechanism.

It is extremely desirable to apply this principle of operation to a valve to be attached to a gas cylinder so that a battery of cylinders may be placed and conduits connected thereto to lead to various places and the valves may be operated in unison, but the arrangement and the mechanism for accomplishing such is a matter which is not pertinent to the present invention. However the structure of valve illustrated in Figures, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and embodies the same principle as the valve which has been described.

This modification of the form of the valve as illustrated comprises a valve body 21 having a threaded boss 28 which is adapted to be secured by a suitable nut or coupling to a gas container and a passage 29 extends through the boss 28 into a central chamber 36. A valve seat 3| is arranged at the inner end of the passage 29 at the bottom of the chamber 30 and the inside wall of the chamber is threaded. A discharge orifice 32 leads outwardly from the chamber portion 34' which engages the threaded wall of the chamber 30 and thebottom end of the valve has a seat adapted to engage the valve seat 3|.

At the top of the threaded portion the valve member is formed with notched recesses 35 and above the notched portion there is a reduced cylindrical portion 36 which terminates in a further reduced squared portion 31.

Close to the notched flange there is a narrow V-shaped groove 38 cut in the cylindrical portion 36 which extends well into the metal which is provided with a central bore 39 and an area of metal remains between the V-shaped groove and the bore 39 which is of a tensile strength suiilcient to effectively withstand any fluid pres-- sure which may be placed in the cylinder. The attenuated section of the metal at the bottom of the V-groove is however susceptible to fracture either from a lateral thrust or from an application of a torque stress of certain proportion.

The valve body is provided with a threaded counterbore 40 well above the top of the chamber 30 and in this is threaded a ferrule member .4l which has a lateral flange 42 which issealed ferrule to prevent the escape of gas during the filling of the container.

The cylindrical end 46 is bored centrally to slip over the cylindrical portion 36 of the valve and the end of this cylindrical member is provided with teeth 46' at its inner extremity which fit into the notches 35 of the valve to act as a wrench to turn the valve in its threaded bearing in the chamber 30.

The recess in the inside of the spindle 45 is deep enough to receive the squared end 31 of the valve. The valve is arranged in the location illustrated in Figure 4 when a cylinder is being charged and gas flows inwardly through the side passage 32 into the chamber 30 and through the passage 29.

When the cylinder has been filled the spindle 45 is rotated and it acts as a wrench fitted into the notches 35 of the valve to rotate the said valve and turn it downwardly in the threaded chamber 30 until the bottom end thereof engages the seat to seal the gas contained within the chamber.

In order to accomplish this result in a satisfactory manner the upper end of the spindle 45 is threaded externally and a nut 41 threaded onto a boss 48 on the top end of the ferrule with a thread of the same pitch as the thread of the spindle. This upper thread and nut serve to hold the spindle into close engaging contact with the valve when it is being moved inwardly so as to overcome any tendency of the gas pressure to lift the spindle and disengage it from the valve.

When the valve has been seated and the pressure thus imprisoned, the upper nut 41 and-the ferrule 4| are removed as also is the spindle 45 leaving the valve holding the pressure within the cylinder.

A spindle 49 with a squared socket end Wis then inserted to fit over the squared end 31 of the valve, but the squared socket is deeper than the squared end of the valve, a depth greater-than the diameter of the discharge orifice 32.

A threaded cap 5| is threaded into the counterbored threaded recess at the top 01' the body and embracesthe valve stem. and forms a closure for the upper end of the valve chamber.

The top end of the spindle 49 is provided with a squared end 52 upon which a suitable key or lever such as that shown at IS in Figures 1 to 3 may be placed by means of which an application of a torque stress may be made on the said spina die. When such a stress is applied with sumcient force to rupture the small area of metal remaining at the bottom of the V-shaped groove 38, the pressure of gas released from within the cylinder blows the now separated free upper end of the valve upwardly into the recess in the bottom end of the spindle clear of the discharge opening as is illustrated in Figure 7 and it is held there by the pressure while the gas escapes through the lateral-opening in the valve body. It is desirable that the stem 49 be a free rotative flt in the bore of cap 5| in order to offer the minimum resistance to rotation in the rupturing of the valve but at the same time it is important that provision be made for sealing-the stem in the bore against escape of e the extremely high pressure gas released on the rupture of the valve, particularly since the valve structure and gas containers may be lbcatedin a special room or vault remote from the origin of 01' the cap 5! so that on the rupturingof the valve 34 the released gas will force the stem into definite sealed relation to the gasket 49 assisted by the sudden impact of the released portion of the valve (see Figure '1) thereby preventing escape of the high pressure gas about the free fitting stem 49. This arrangement overcomes the objection of the usual compressionseaiem- -ployed in valves which places a variable frictional binding stress on the stem and would interfere with the free turning of the stem desired in the' present invention.

It will be noted. that there is a lateral passage 53 leading from the main central passage of the valve to a side opening which is enclosed by a cap 54 in which is arranged a pressure seal I! which is adapted to hold with safety the pressure of gas that is forced into the cylinder, but this seal is in the nature of a safety seal in order that the cylinder cannot be overcharged.

It will be appreciated that a valve structure such as described, when placed upon a cylinder of CO: gas will effectively seal the cylinderfrom the escape of the gas.

I The valve described has no delicate parts to be disrupted or to get out of order in handling the cylinder.

- valve attached can be transported with safety between V In fact the cylinder with such aportion. The parts are very simple and are easily manufactured at very moderate cost and when a valve has been operated the fractured part is a very inexpensive member to replace.

The structure is devoid of complex mechanical parts' that are expensive to manufacture and difiicult to sustain. The device is therefore one of considerable merit embodying low cost, safe operation and maintenance and very positive in its operating release function.

Such a valve can be applied to any standard capable of variation within the spirit of the invention.

What we claim as our invention is:--

, 1. In a fire extinguishing equipment of the high pressure fluid type comprising an outer valve body having a fluid inlet passage and a.

lateral discharge passage, a valve member interposed between said passages and having a recess connected with the inlet, and means for rupturing said valve to intersect the recess therein internally of said valve body in substantial transverse alignment with said discharge passage, and a conduit connected with said discharge passage for receiving the released fluid and. conducting same to a point remote from said mechanism.

2. A valve for flre extinguishing equipment comprising a body having gas inlet and discharge passages and a valve chamber interposed therebetween, a valve threaded in said chamber and adapted to seal the inlet passage to the valve body and having a recess therein, said valve having a portion with reduced cross section to form a transverse line of rupture, a socketed wrench.

membe fitting over said valve and engaging same ine oi reduced cross section and the valve seat, and-threaded means for operating said wrench to hold. it in contact with the valve in the act of closing same.

' 3. A valve for fire extinguishing equipment of the high pressure fluid type comprising a body having fluid inlet and discharge passages and a valve chamber interposed therebetween, a valve threaded in said chamber and adapted to seal the inlet passage to the valve body and having a recess therein, said valve having a portion with passage and provide for the free release of the diate of its length to permit transverse fracture thereof to release the gas from the cylinder, the combination of means for applying a true tortional stress to said weakened portion to effect a clean and complete transverse fracture including a valve casing forming a sealing enclosure about the weakened zone of the valve to receive the released medium and having a discharge passage for connection to a conduit system, said casing also forming a retaining means to prevent the released portion of the valve from being propelled into space.

5. In a fire extinguishing equipment of the high pressure fluid type including a gas container and a tubular valve member arranged to close the container outlet and being weakened intermediate of its length to permit transverse fracture thereof to release the fluid from the cylinder, the combination of a valve casing forming a sealing enclosure about the weakened zone of said valve, a discharge passage leading from the casing interior adjacent said zone and having means for connection to a conduit system for conducting the released medium from said passage to a remote zone or zones, and means for applying a true tortional stress to said weakened portion to effect a clean and complete transverse fracture, including means for rotatably supporting the valve portion interiorly of the casing for limited sliding displacement on one side of said weakened zone in axial alignment with the portion on the other side thereof, the sliding displacement of the valve portion permitting same to effectively clear said discharge passage.

6. In a fire extinguishing equipment including a high pressure fluid container and a tubular valve member arranged to close the container outlet and being weakened intermediate of its length to permit transverse fracture thereof to release the gas from the cylinder, the combination of a valve body enclosing said valve and having a portion on one side of the weakened zone anchored thereto, said valve body forming a pressure-receiving chamber about the weakened.

zone and having a discharge passage leading from said chamber exteriorly of the body, and means co-operating with the portion of the valve on the other side of said weakened zone to apply a rupture force thereto, said latter portion of the valve being axially displaceable a limited distance withinthevalve body on separation from the other portion under the gas pressure to provide a clear outlet for the released gas through said discharge passage and being captive within said valve body,

said discharge passage having means associated therewith for connection to a conduit system to conduct the released fluid to a zone or zones remote from the valve mechanism.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which said means for applying a tortional stress to the valve includes means rotatably mounted in said valve casing and presenting a-detachable nonrotative sliding connection with said weakened portion to detach said portion and permit same to recede from the other portion to facilitate the release of the gas.

8. A release valve for fire extinguishing equipment having in combination a valve body provided with inlet and outlet passages, a rupturable operation of the spindle, said stem being freely axially displaceable away from the normal location of the valve on rupture thereof under the propelling force of the released flifid pressure,

means interposed between the spindle and valve body for sealing the axially displaced spindle against escape of the released gas about the spindle, and a conduit connected to said outlet passage for conducting away the released fluid pressure to a zone or zones remote from said mechanism 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which space against which the shoulder of the spindle is adapted to be forced axially by gas pressure on rupture of the valve.

10. In a flre extinguishing equipment, including a high pressure fluid container, a valve sealing the outlet from the container having a passage communicating with the fluid outlet from the container and extending part way therethrough and having a portion adapted to be ruptured in a plane intersecting said passage to instantaneously open same, the combination of rotary inertia means operable to apply an impact shock to said valve to effect said rupture, said rotary inertia means comprising a' lever secured to the end of said valve remote from its connection with the container, weighted means rotatable concentrically of the valve, and means whereby said weighted means eifects an impact engagement with said lever only after a predetermined degree of rotation to apply a sudden force to said lever to rupture said valve.

11. In a fire extinguishing equipment including a high pressure fluid container and a. tubular valve member arranged to close the container outlet and being weakened intermediate or its length to permit transverse fracture thereof to release the fluid from the cylinder, the combina- .tion of a valve body enclosing said valve and forming a fluid-receiving chamber thereabout and having a portion on one side of the weakened zone for anchoring and sealing co-operation with the inner end of the tubular valve, the portion of the valve body on the other side of the said zone being bored'to concentrically and rotatably guide the outer end. of the tubular valve relative to the said inner end within said valve body, said outer end of the valve having an operating extension projecting beyond the casing, and means cooperating with said operating extension to apply a tortional stress thereto to detach the outer end of the valve at the weakened zone, and means for limiting axial displacement of the detached outer end of the valve under the propelling action of the released high pressure fluid, said valve body having a discharge passage leading from the fluidreceiving chamber adapted for connection to a I conduit system.

12. In a fire extinguishing equipment, the combination with a rupturable valve member and a member displaceable to rupture said valve, of a flywheel member weighted to rotate when released, an impact projection on said flywheel, said displaceable member being positioned for impact operating engagement directly with said impact projection, a latch member, means carried solely by said flywheel for direct latching engagement with said latch member, with said impact projection peripherally spaced from said displaceable member, and electro-magnetic means controlling said latch member.

13. Apparatus as claimed'in claim 12 in which said latch. member is spring-biased to release position and is electro-magnetically retained in latching position to be automatically released on failure of said electro-magnetic means. 14. In a fire-extinguishing equipment, including a high pressure fluid container, a valve sealing the outlet from the container having a passage communicating with the fluid outlet from the container and extending part way therethrough and having a portion adapted to be ruptured in a .plane intersecting said passage to instantaneously open same, the combination of rotary inertia means operableto apply ,an impact shock to said valve to eflect said rupture, said rotary inertia means comprising a lever secured to the end of the valve remote from its connection with the container, an inertia member comprising a lever secured to the end of the valve remote from its connection with the container, an inertia member comprising a rotatable pulley, a cable secured to and embracing the perimeter of said pulley, a weight attached to said cable, a contact lug rigid with said pulley and having impact engagement with said lever only after a predetermined degree of rotation thereof, a latch mechanism normally holding said pulley from rotation, and means for releasing said latch mechanism.

RICHARD EDGAR WALLACE. I

ALBERT C. F. WEST. 

